The SAG Awards honor the best Esri users

The "Special Achievement in GIS Awards," also known as the "SAG Awards," are the true “Oscars” for geomatics professionals using Esri solutions. These awards are presented annually by Esri Inc., with winners directly selected by Esri teams from thousands of users worldwide. The prizes are awarded during the annual Esri User Conference, held in early July in San Diego. Winners who are able to attend have the honor of receiving their award from Jack Dangermond, Esri’s co-founder and president. 

The SAG Awards highlight exemplary projects that use the ArcGIS platform in innovative ways to transform industries or enhance decision-making. The aim is to spotlight high-impact initiatives, whether in public services, infrastructure or network management, urban planning, or environmental protection. In addition to recognizing each organization’s achievements, the SAG Awards also offer valuable insights into how GIS and geographic information are used around the world. 

Belgium and Luxembourg are regularly in the spotlight. In recent years, several organizations nominated by Esri BeLux have received awards. For example, in 2020, Ville de Luxembourg won a SAG Award for its “Citymap” geoportal. As a cornerstone of its Smart City strategy, the platform centralizes over 5,500 interactive geolocation points and 3D maps, making them accessible to citizens and visitors alike. In 2021, Infrabel, the manager of Belgium’s railway network, received a SAG Award for its strategic use of GIS in infrastructure management. Last year, in 2024, two Belgian institutions were honored: the Geospatial Center of the General Intelligence and Security Service (ADIV) of the Ministry of Defense, and NATO headquarters in Brussels. CFL (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois) also received a SAG Award for fully digitizing their access maps and developing an interactive GIS map that enables coordinated collaboration with the national fire brigade. 

This year, both Belgium and Luxembourg once again had winners. In Luxembourg, AGORA s.à r.l. & Cie received a SAG Award for their digital twin of the Belval and Metzeschmelz urban development project, congratulations! With this interactive 3D model, residents, planners, and investors can easily explore how neighborhoods are evolving and what the future holds, from buildings and mobility to heritage and green spaces. 

In Belgium, FAVV or AFSCA won the SAG Award for their innovative use of GIS to make the country’s food supply chain safer and more sustainable. Through interactive maps, field apps, and risk-based analyses, they combat plant and animal diseases, monitor environmental challenges such as PFAS pollution, and enable fast, targeted action during incidents. All of this in the interest of public health, agriculture, and transparency toward the public. 

Thank you and congratulations!